Linkable-shared friendship objects

ABSTRACT

A friendship object kit comprising at least a pair of friendship objects that are packaged and sold together, where a first one of the friendship objects is for a first person to keep and second one of the friendship objects is for a second person to receive from the first person, the pair of friendship objects each comprising a connector mechanism associated with it so that multiple friendship objects from different pairs of friendship objects can be linked together by one person. The friendship objects may be substantially similar or complimentary and made in a variety of shapes and configurations.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to providing two or more friendship objects thatare sold together, where one object is kept by one person and the otheris given to a second person and each of the objects has a connector toenable multiple friendship objects to be linked or otherwise connectedtogether to form jewelry, chains or other linked objects.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Friendship bracelets per se are known. Typically these items are givenby one friend to another and worn as a symbol of friendship. Each itemtypically is created and exists in isolation.

Other types of friendship objects are also known. For example, in somecases two halves of one object must be put together to complete theobject. In these cases, each of two friends keep one of the two objectsand when the two friends get together, they can put the two objectstogether. For example, friendship rings are known. With friendshiprings, each person has a single ring. When the rings are broughttogether, some synergistic result occurs. This pair of objects may becreated and exist in an isolated pair.

Charm bracelets also are known. With charm bracelets, typically a personcollects a number of charms. Each charm is typically connected to abracelet, but not to each other. While a first friend could give a charmto a second friend, there is typically no corresponding charm kept bythe first friend.

Other types of friendship tokens exist.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the invention is a novel idea with respect to friendshipobjects. According to one aspect of the invention, two or morefriendship objects are sold together, where a first person keeps one ofthe objects and gives a second object to a second person (e.g., afriend, team mate, co-worker, customer or other person) that keeps thesecond object. Each of the friendship objects may be substantiallyidentical or complimentary. Each preferably has a connecting mechanismassociated with it so that a person can collect and link togetherfriendship objects given to or received from a number of friends. Inthis way, multiple pairs of friendship objects can be created and usedtogether.

According to other embodiments, more than two friendship objects arecreated and packaged together. In this way, more than two friends can“share” similar or complimentary friendship objects. Thus, two or morefriends can share multiple objects and link together the multiplefriendship objects.

According to some embodiments, the friendship objects are speciallyadapted to enable the linked objects to form a necklace, a bracelet, orother item of “jewelry, or a belt, (Heidi—list others) or other objectthat may typically be worn by an individual. According to otherembodiments, the objects may be linked together to form chains or otherlinked structures. These structures may be attached to other structuressuch as bookcases, knapsacks and other structures.

The objects may be substantially identical so that each friend has asubstantially identical replica of what the other friend has.Alternatively, the objects may be complimentary so that when the objectsare brought together some synergistic effect occurs. For example, eachof the objects may contain a portion of a visual message so that whenthey are brought together the entire message is visible, in either astatic or dynamic manner (as discussed below). Audible and other formsof synergistic cooperation can be implemented.

The connecting mechanism may include one or more of a jewelry clasp, ahook and loop fastener (e.g., Velcro™), a clip, or any other suitableconnecting mechanism. In some embodiments, the friendship objects aredirectly connected to one another. In other embodiments, they areindirectly connected (e.g., through a chain or other intermediateconnector portion).

The friendship objects can be made of a variety of materials and can bein any one of a variety of shapes or configurations. According to oneembodiment, the friendship objects may be plush objects such as stuffedanimals or other stuffed objects. In other embodiments, they can be morerigid objects. Alternatively, the objects can be shapes (e.g., hearts orother shapes), fruits, flowers, automobiles, characters, sports relatedobjects, hobby related objects, logos, mascots, or any other suitableshape.

According to another embodiment, the friendship objects may be adaptedto enable various forms of personalization. For example, thepersonalization may be in the form of a written message, an engraved orembroidered message, or other visual message. According to otherembodiments, the personalization may be in the form of a personal voicemessage (e.g., recorded on a voice chip), a pre-recorded message orother audible personalization. Various combinations of personalizationtechniques may be used.

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent fromthe following detailed description considered in connection with theaccompanying drawings. The drawings are designed for purposes ofillustration only and the invention is not limited to the particularsshown therein. Various alternatives and modifications within the scopeof eh invention will be apparent from the description contained herein.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 illustrates an example of a package including a pair offriendship objects, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 2A illustrates an example of a friendship object having connectingmechanisms in its vertical axis, according to an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 2B illustrates an example of a friendship object having connectingmechanisms in its horizontal axis, according to an embodiment of theinvention.

FIG. 3 illustrates an example of a plurality of friendship objectslinked together, according to an embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 4 illustrates an example of a friendship object including apersonalized message, according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

One aspect of the invention relates to at least a pair of (or more)friendship objects that may be created, packaged and/or sold together.Preferably, one person may keep one of the friendship objects and give asecond friendship object to a second person. As illustrated in FIG. 1, apackage 100 may include at least a pair of friendship objects (102,104). Each of the friendship objects (102, 104) may be substantiallyidentical or complimentary. Each friendship object (102, 104) mayinclude one or more connecting mechanisms, generally designated 106.According to one embodiment, the connection mechanism may include afirst connection component 106 a and a second connection component 106b. The connection mechanism (and/or connection components) may be usedto connect together or link multiple friendship objects, so thatmultiple friends can share and link together multiple friendshipobjects. In one embodiment (not shown), the connecting mechanism mayinclude a jewelry clasp. For example, a first connection component 106 aof a first object may be a substantially solid ring (or other shape) anda second connection component 106 b may include a latch that can beopened, connected to the first connection component of second friendshipobject, and closed. In another embodiment, the connecting mechanism 106may include a hook and loop fastener material (e.g., Velcro™). Anysuitable connecting mechanism may be used such that the objects arelinked together.

According to one embodiment, a connection component (e.g., 106 a) of afriendship object may be directly coupled to a connection component(e.g., 106 b) of another friendship object. According to anotherembodiment, connecting mechanisms (106 a, 106 b) of a pair of friendshipobjects (e.g., 102, 104) may be coupled via an intermediate connector,for example, a chain, or any suitable structure.

FIGS. 2A and 2B illustrates friendship object 102 having connectingmechanisms (106 a, 106 b) for linking to one or more other friendshipobjects. According to one embodiment, friendship object 102 may includeone or more connecting mechanisms (106 a, 106 b) oriented along any axisor orientation. For example, in some embodiments, as illustrated in FIG.2A, friendship object 102 may include one or more connecting mechanisms(106 a, 106 b) attached along the vertical axis of object 102. In otherembodiments, as illustrated in FIG. 2B, friendship object 102 mayinclude one or more connecting mechanisms (106 a, 106 b) attached alongthe horizontal axis of object 102.

As illustrated in FIG. 3, a plurality of friendship objects (e.g., 102,112, 114, 116) may be linked together. In some embodiments, each of theplurality of friendship objects (e.g., 102, 112, 114, 116) may include aconnector 108 coupled to connecting mechanisms (106 a, 106 b). Connector108 may enable linking one friendship object to another friendshipobject. In other embodiments, each of the plurality of friendshipobjects (e.g., 102, 112, 114, 116) may be directly linked together viaconnecting mechanisms (106 a, 106 b) without intermediate connector 108.

In one embodiment, a plurality of friendship objects (e.g., 102, 112,114, 116) may be adapted to enable the linked objects to form anecklace, bracelet, anklet, belt, or other item of “jewelry” that maytypically be worn by an individual. In another embodiment, a pluralityfriendship objects (e.g., 102, 112, 114, 116) may be linked together toform zipper pulls, key chains or other objects that may be attached tostructures such as bookcases, knapsacks and other structures.

According to one embodiment, the friendship objects (e.g., 102 and 104)may be substantially identical so that each friend has a substantiallyidentical replica of what the other friend has. According to anotherembodiment, the friendship objects may be complimentary so that when theobjects are brought together some synergistic effect occurs. Forexample, each of the objects may contain a portion of a visual messageso that when they are brought together the entire message is visible.Other forms of synergistic cooperation can be implemented.

As opposed to this static synergistic effect, a dynamic synergisticeffect may occur. For example when one object is brought close to or incontact with a second object, that triggering activity may cause atleast one (or more) of the objects to exhibit a dynamic behavior. Thedynamic behavior may include causing an audible message or other soundto occur, causing a visual display or other visual effect to occur, orto cause some other dynamic effect to occur. One example is shown inU.S. Pat. No. 6,050,695, which is herein incorporated by reference inits entirety.

According to another embodiment, the friendship objects may be adaptedto enable various forms of personalization. For example, thepersonalization may be in the form of a written message, an engraved orembroidered message, or other visual message. As illustrated in FIG. 4,friendship object 102 may include a personalized message 120 engraved orembroidered on its surface.

The personalization may also be in the form of one or more personal orpre-recorded voice message (e.g., recorded on a voice chip 122), orother audible personalization. In some embodiments, friendship object102 may include a voice recording and a playback mechanism to enable afriendship object to be personalized by recording or re-recording on avoice chip one or more audible messages. In one embodiment, friendshipobject 102 may be personalized by a first person before receipt by asecond person. According to another embodiment, the personalization mayoccur when both friends are present.

The friendship objects can be made of a variety of materials and can bein any one of a variety of shapes or configurations. According to oneembodiment, the friendship objects may be plush objects such as stuffedanimals or other stuffed objects. Alternatively, the objects can beshapes, including but not limited to hearts, fruits, trees, automobiles,planets, houses, people, logos, or mascots.

The connector mechanism may be located on the friendship object in alocation and/or orientation to enable or facilitate the linking ofcertain types of objects for certain purposes. For example, in oneembodiment, as shown for example in FIG. 4, the first connectorcomponent and second connector component extend along an axis that issubstantially vertical with respect to object 102. In other embodiments,the connector components may be located on an axis substantiallyperpendicular to that axis. For the particular object shown, the height(along what was referred to as the vertical axis) is less than thelength (along a perpendicular axis). If it is desired to maximize thelength of a link, it may be desirable to locate connector componentsalong a longer axis of the friendship objects. If it is desired toincrease the number of objects that can be linked in a given length, itmay be desirable to locate the connector components along asubstantially shorter axis of the friendship objects.

In other embodiments, more than one set of connector components can belocated on a friendship object, along substantially perpendicular axesor otherwise.

According to another embodiment, the shape, color or othercharacteristics of object 102 can have significance. For example, acommon designator may be used to indicate whether an object was one thatthe person received from a particular person or if it corresponds to anobject that the person received from a different friend. In this way,friends can “compete” to see who can collect the most of a particulartype of friendship object. Therefore, a common designator may makes anobject recognizable from a specific person.

While particular embodiments of the present invention have beendescribed, it is to be understood that modifications will be apparent tothose skilled in the art without departing from the spirit of theinvention. The scope of the invention is not limited to the specificembodiments descried herein.

1-7. Cancelled
 8. A friendship object kit comprising at least a pair offriendship objects that are packaged and sold together, wherein a firstfriendship object of the pair is for a first person to keep and a secondfriendship object of the pair is for a second person to receive from thefirst person, the first and second friendship objects each comprising aconnecting mechanism to enable multiple friendship objects fromdifferent pairs of friendship objects to be linked together, and whereineach of the first and second friendship objects is personalized by anaudible message.
 9. A friendship object kit comprising at least a pairof friendship objects that are packaged and sold together, wherein afirst friendship object of the pair is for a first person to keep and asecond friendship object of the pair is for a second person to receivefrom the first person, the first and second friendship objects eachcomprising a connecting mechanism to enable multiple friendship objectsfrom different pairs of friendship objects to be linked together, andwherein each of the first and second friendship objects comprises avoice recording and playback mechanism to enable each of the first andsecond friendship objects to be personalized by an audible message.10-16. Cancelled
 17. The friendship object kit of claim 8, wherein thefirst and second friendship objects comprise animal-shaped objects. 18.The friendship object kit of claim 17, wherein the first and secondfriendship objects comprise substantially identical animal-shapedobjects.
 19. The friendship object kit of claim 17, wherein the firstand second friendship objects comprise different animal-shaped objects.20. The friendship object kit of claim of claim 8, wherein theconnecting mechanism comprises at least a jewelry clasp.
 21. Thefriendship object kit of claim of claim 8, wherein the connectingmechanism comprises hook and loop fastener material.
 22. The friendshipobject kit of claim 9, wherein the first and second friendship objectscomprise animal-shaped objects.
 23. The friendship object kit of claim22, wherein the first and second friendship objects comprisesubstantially identical animal-shaped objects.
 24. The friendship objectkit of claim 22, wherein the first and second friendship objectscomprise different animal-shaped objects.
 25. The friendship object kitof claim of claim 9, wherein the connecting mechanism comprises at leasta jewelry clasp.
 26. The friendship object kit of claim of claim 9,wherein the connecting mechanism comprises hook and loop fastenermaterial.